Sterlite aims to use open-source code to build a near real-time controller and distributed units, with white box hardware, and would also contribute code and results from field trials for 5G technology.

The German cabinet will hold a secret session on Wednesday to discuss safeguard measures regarding the possible participation of China's Huawei Technologies in building Germany's 5G network, the daily Handelsblatt said, citing government sources.

Telefonica Deutschland has filed an emergency motion seeking a temporary halt to Germany's mobile spectrum auction, a regional court said on Tuesday, raising the possibility that the allocation of frequencies for 5G services could be delayed.

Deutsche Telekom, Europe's largest telecoms group, on Wednesday proposed a series of steps to ensure that Chinese vendors can take part in building Germany's 5G mobile networks without jeopardising national security.

After PSU banks, the government is likely to infuse capital in two chronically ill telecom PSUs BSNL and MTNL, and the Union Cabinet is likely to take a decision on 4G spectrum allocation to them by the third week of the current month after DoT places the note before it for consideration.

At a high-level meeting at the PMO late Tuesday, it was also decided that the two telcos will frame a Voluntary Retirement Scheme (VRS) to reduce their employee strength, which will be followed by a reduction in the retirement age to 58.